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Outbreak won't prevent fair Horse Show

Exhibitors alerted to symptoms

Participants in the 2013 Junior Horse Show prepare for competition. This year's show will take place as scheduled despite an outbreak of vesicular stomatitis in the state, although participants have been notified to watch their livestock for symptoms. (Callie Jones / Journal-Advocate file photo)

The Logan County Fair officially gets underway tonight, when the volunteers who make it happen are treated to dinner at the Superintendents Barbecue.

The Junior Horse Show, though, is one of the first events of "fair week." It's held Monday and Tuesday in the Exhibit Center arena, where youth enrolled in the horse program show their skills in a variety of events.

Concerns about an outbreak in the state of vesicular stomatitis, a disease that can affect horses as well as mules, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, pigs, and camelids, won't stop the show.

An update from the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) Wednesday said that there are now 21 quarantines in the state after horses tested positive for the disease, which causes vesicles, erosions and sloughing of the skin on the muzzle, tongue, teats and above the hooves of susceptible livestock.

The quarantines are located in Boulder, Broomfield, El Paso, Larimer, and Weld counties; results on additional tests in other counties are pending.

Kassie Roth, the horse events chair for the Logan County Fair Board, said she has consulted with Dr. Mike Coakley, a local veterinarian, and he felt it would be safe for the show to go on. She also said that they sent a letter to all of the families enrolled in the horse program about VS and told them to contact a veterinarian if their horses exhibit symptoms.

According to the CDA, Colorado is just the second state in the U.S. to have confirmed cases of VS. Cases have also been diagnosed this year in Texas.

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"Vesicular stomatitis can be painful for animals and costly to their owners," said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr. "The virus typically causes oral blisters and sores that can be painful causing difficulty in eating and drinking."

The CDA urges veterinarians and livestock owners who suspect an animal may have VS or any other vesicular disease to immediately contact state or federal animal health authorities. Livestock showing symptoms are isolated until they are healed and no longer pose a threat of spreading the disease.

The CDA said human cases of VS are rare, but occur most often among those who handle infected animals. The disease usually manifests as flu-like symptoms, rarely as lesions or blisters.

To protect their livestock from VS, the CDA offers these tips for owners:

• Strict fly control is an important factor to inhibit the transmission of the disease.

• Colorado veterinarians and livestock owners should contact the state of destination when moving livestock interstate to ensure that all import requirements are met. A list of contact information for all state veterinarians' offices is available at colorado.gov/ag/animals and click on "Import Requirements."

• Colorado fairs, livestock exhibitions, and rodeos may institute new entry requirements based on the extent and severity of the current VS outbreak. Certificates of Veterinary Inspection issued within 2-5 days prior to an event can beneficial to reduce risks. Be sure to stay informed of any new livestock event requirements.

• During an event, important VS disease prevention procedures include minimizing the sharing of water and feed/equipment, applying insect repellent daily (especially to the animals ears), and closely observing animals for signs of VS.

• If moving livestock internationally please contact the USDA APHIS VS Colorado office at 303-231-5385 to determine if there are any movement restrictions or testing requirements for VSV.

For more information, contact the Colorado State Veterinarian's Office at 303-869-9130.

RE-1 Valley School District has announced its policy for determining eligibility of children who may receive free and reduced price meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program.
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